By BRANDON HANSEN

Hungry Horse News

Kicking off their Class A State Playoff campaign, there wasn’t much stress for Columbia Falls in a 10-0 victory over the South’s No. 3 seed, Missoula Loyola on Saturday, Oct. 19.

In the first 16 minutes of the game, Riley Byrd scored twice, and Onnika Lawrence put one in the net on an assist from Evie Door.

“I think the girls scored three goals early and really set the tone in a playoff game against a team with less experience in a playoff atmosphere,” Columbia Falls head coach Thomas Clark said. “Our girls came to make a statement and executed the way we wanted in the second half.”

Those goals also built momentum and reduced any playoff jitters in the win-or-go-home world of the playoffs.

As powerful as a 3-0 lead at halftime was, Columbia Falls poured in seven more goals in the second half.

Byrd scored her second goal in the 43rd minute for a hat trick, and Lawrence assisted Tatiana Raymond in the 55th minute. Lawrence and Raymond would reduce roles a minute later for another Wildcat goal. In the 59th minute, Mila Johns assisted Lawrence in getting her third goal.

“Riley had stepped up in the playoffs before and this game showed once again she shines brightest in these situations,” Clark said.

Isla Alexander scored on an assist from Evie Door in the 73rd minute, then assisted Lawrence for her fourth goal in the 75th minute. Lawrence wrapped up the game with her fifth goal in the 77th minute.

“Our team and defensive players stayed locked in even as the game got out of hand and recorded a shutout and handled all pressure,” Clark said.

Columbia Falls finished with 22 shots while limiting Loyola to one. The Wildkats also had six corner kicks.

“Anytime you can get a convincing result against a team that does well in their conference is big in boosting our team’s confidence,” Clark said. “And now we will be going on a long road trip with the boys’ team, and it’s just a unique position for us.”

Billings Central awaits in the semifinals, and the Wildcats know they bring a lot of talent to the pitch.

“We know they have dangerous players all over the field, but that’s what makes it fun at this point. Any team in the playoffs still is one of the best teams in the state,” Clark said.

Columbia Falls will have a week to prepare for the No. 1 seed opponent from the East. They’ll also practice on the playing field at Amend Field on Friday before the game on Saturday to get used to the playing surface.

This comes after a 10-hour bus ride, but Clark is going to focus on making this a normal play week.

Because with it being a semifinal bout, there aren’t many play weeks left.